Bundesliga 2018/19, Hoffenheim 1-3 Bayern Munich: 5 Talking Points

Bayern Munich has started the New Year on a good note, as Leon Goretzka's brace played a prime role in finishing the game against Hoffenheim, by a dominating 3-1 scoreline.

The win helped Bayern cut down Borussia Dortmund's dominance at the top of the table to just three points, with the league leaders in action against RB Leipzig on Saturday.

The Bavarians produced a dominating display at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena, as the visitors ended the first half with a 2-0 lead.

Both goals were scored by Goretzka in the final ten minutes before half-time after his side wasted a lot of good chances on open play.

In the second half, Bayern lost their compactness from the first half, and as a result, conceded a goal from Nico Schulz.

Hoffenheim then pressed hard for an equaliser and even came close on two occasions, which were ultimately foiled by Manuel Neuer.

With Robert Lewandowski netting a third with three minutes remaining for stoppage time, Bayern secured all three points for the defending Bundesliga champions.

Let us now discuss some of the key points for discussion from the match.

#5 Bavarian dominance in the first half

Bayern finished the first 45 minutes with a two-goal lead.

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Having already stated how Bayern finished the first 45 minutes with a two-goal lead, it is to be understood that the side dominated the hosts at that phase - which is true to the dot.

It was what would have been a classic case of 4-0 or 5-0, had Munich not squandered a lion's share of their golden chances.

Though the first chance of the game was Hoffenheim's in the 4th minute, Bayern got their balance back by the 15th minute, and slowly started applying pressure on the hosts' defense.

It worked, as chances came in from all sides left right and center, and it was due to some sheer fortune of Hoffenheim that the score remained 0-0. Muller, Lewandowski, and Hummels missed chances and kept the game in the balance.

All the hard work paid off in the 34th minute when Kingsley Coman's high cross directed at Lewandowski was put away by Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, who in turn couldn't stop the rebound shot from an unmarked Goretzka.

The side went on to double the lead soon, as Goretzka found himself at the receiving end of another cross - this time from David Alaba.